Fare Forward Voyagers

John Fahey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 1, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000008FH5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,819 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2007 reissue for John Fahey's 1973 Takoma release, his only non-Christian religious recording. Released for the first time with its original sleeve, the packaging also includes facsimiles of the "Yogaville West" leaflet that accompanied the first pressings. The album consists of three long tracks recorded in tribute to Swami Satchidananda. Fahey later said 'Probably the primary reason I got involved with them was that I fell in love with Swami Satchidananda's secretary Shanti Norris. So I was doing benefits for them, hoping to score points with her, and along the way I learned a lot of hatha yoga.' Takoma. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Album , Due for a reissue on CD!!, May 7, 2007

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78 RPM (Santa Barbara, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Fare Forward Voyagers (Audio CD)

This is an absolutely beautiful album from 1973,on which Fahey continues to take a more extended improvisational approach to his guitar compositions; similar to that recently explored on his masterpiece album, "America."
There are only three pieces here, but each is very successful,dynamic and cohesive, incorporating traditional tunes as well as themes from previous Fahey compositions ("When The Springtime comes again"). On many of the tunes John uses a 1930s Gibson "Recording King" (later tragically smashed in a fit of temper)which sounds absolutely stunning.
Years ago, the good folks at Shanachie reissued the album on CD (albeit with different jacket art) but it's long out of print. A real shame as this is indispensible Fahey.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fahey's best?, January 21, 2009

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Heavy Theta (Lorton, Va United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Fare Forward Voyagers (Audio CD)

an inspired effort, written and performed by the artist in his determination to obtain connubial bliss with the object of his heart's desire (a most noble quest), this recording combines such powerful yearning with sublime composition that is tinged with eastern spiritualism. it is a level of performance rarely if ever matched in his discography, or anybody else's for that matter. it should be mentioned that the lengthy title track is now featured on the best of john fahey cd, if you're looking to save a buck or two, given the relative expense of this title at this writing.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Fahey's most brilliant albums, November 29, 2008

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Counterbalance (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fare Forward Voyagers (Audio CD)

John Fahey recorded one free-form album. And this is it.

Fare Forward Voyagers is Fahey's mystical album. It dives deep, and then swoops upward into complex reveries of cadences and rhythms. Although he occasionally anchors his compositions in delta blues hooks, the music pushes ever forward, as the title suggests.

Fare Forward Voyagers is one of the most sophisticated acoustic guitar albums ever recorded. However, it didn't sell as well as Fahey's more accessible albums, and he never again revisited this approach.

Fahey himself had warned against what he called "orientalism." And yet, here he is, flaunting his own rule. Again, according to Fahey, for the love of a Yogi's secretary.

But don't let this endearing story distract from the intent of the compositions. This album is a serious excursion.

If you are a Fahey follower, Fare Forward Voyagers is essential. If you are a guitar player or guitar music fan, it's a rare journey to the heights of solo acoustic guitar.